Psalms 17

A Prayer of David; wherein he humbly represents to God his innocence in those things whereof he was accused: (of affecting the kingdom, I suppose, and seeking the life of Saul, ISam. xxiv. 9.) and therefore beseeches him to gTant him deliverance from his persecutors and calumniators (Saul, it is most likely, and those that set him on). See Thcodoret.

Psalms 17:1

JtJ-EAR the right, O Lord, attend unto my cry; give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips. I am oppressed, O Lord, with such false accusations, that I have no way but to appeal to thee, who art the righteous judge of the world; beseeching thee to deal with me according to the justice of my cause. It is my most earnest request to thee; and I desire no favour of thee, if these lips have spoken any deceitful words against Saul, or do now dissemble with thy majesty.

Psalms 17:2

Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal. Who hast long suspended thy sentence, and let my enemies pursue me, as if I was guilty: but I humbly entreat thee at last openly to acquit me; and to shew that thou regardest the greatness of no man’s person, but only his uprightness and integrity.

Psalms 17:3

Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shaltfind nothing: I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress. Thou art privy to the inmost thoughts of my heart; in the greatest retirements thou seest what I design; and hast tried me also (as gold in the fire) by many afflictions, which thou didst never find to make me think of any unlawful courses for my preservation: but still I have been what I pretended, and my words and secret thoughts have always agreed together.

Psalms 17:4

Concerning the works of men, by the word of my lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer. I know what men arc apt to do in such circumstances; but the respect I bear to thy commandments hath preserved me from those murderous practices, whieh the violent man would have boldly attempted. (1 Sam. xxvi. 8.)

Psalms 17:5

Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not. And I beseech thee still confirm me in this resolution; that no temptation may make me forsake that tract of virtue in which I have hitherto persisted; Ver. G. I have calledupon thee; for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.] And in which I doubt not to be safe: for I have never yet cried unto thee but thou hast granted my request, and wilt not now, I hope, refuse to condescend unto it; but admit of this appeal which I make to thee, and do me right.

Psalms 17:7

Shew thy marvellous living-kindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them. Thy mercy will appear most wonderful in my preservation from this imminent danger wherein I am. Magnify it, therefore, O thou whoso property it is to interpose thy mighty power, for the deliverance of such as confide in nothing but thy omnipotent goodness, from those who rise up against them to destroy them,

Psalms 17:8

Keep me as the apple of the eye; hide me under the shadow of thy ivings. I commend myself to thy watchful providence; beseeching thee to defend mo with the same care that wc do that tender part in the midst of our eye. As a hen covers her chickens under her wings, from the ravenous bird that hovers over them to devour them:

Psalms 17:9

From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies who compass me about.". «So do thou, O Lord, protect me (who fly unto thee for safety) from the wicked that are about to seize on mc and spoil me; from those deadly enemies which have beset me round with eager desires and hopes to destroy mc.

Psalms 17:10

They are enclosed in their own fat; with their mouth they speak proudly. Who arc so stuffed with worldly goods, and have thriven so long in tfieir ungodly courses, that they are grown extreme proud of their power: and not only haughtily threaten my destruction, but presumptuously brag as if they had already accomplished their desire.-

Psalms 17:11

Tliou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Them wilt shew me the way to escape out of all these dangers (and do much more for the Messiah, who, being raised from the dead, shall live eternally); and not only preserve my life, but satiate me with joy, when thy favour hath settled me on the throne, by that almighty power which is able to dispense everlasting happiness; and will certainly exalt the Messiah to reign at thy right hand in endless joy and pleasure, after all his grievous sufferings. They have noiv compassed us in our steps; they have set their eyes bowing down to the eartlu] And, indeed, they have now gotten me and my followers into a very great strait: (1 Sam. xxiii. 26.) and which way soever we turn ourselves, we are in danger to fall into the hands of those who have steadfastly resolved our utter ruin.

Psalms 17:12

Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places. No lion can be more desirous to tear a Iamb in pieces, than Saul is to make a prey of me. Like a young lion in his den, he watches when an opportunity will offer itself that he may fall upon me, (1 Sam. xxiii. 7, 8. xxiv. 2, &c.)

Psalms 17:13

Arise, O Lord; disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sivord. Delay no longer, therefore, O Lord, but speedily appear to defeat him. Throw him down to the ground, when he thinks to fall upon me: and though thou hast suffered the wicked to wound me sorely, yet let him not kill me, who depended upon thy power, which is able to deliver me.

Psalms 17:14

From men which are thy hand, O Lord, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.] He hath many, I know, that join With him to destroy mc; but they are only mortal men, O Lord, who can do nothing but what thou permittest them for my correction: worldly men, who look no farther than this present life; and desire no other satisfaction, but to be very rich, to have a numerous posterity, and to leave them great estates, when they can enjoy them no longer.

Psalms 17:15

As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I aivake; with thy likeness. Which prosperity I do in no wise envy them, but* think